Card-support for dummy hands.



G. F. WEDDERBURN.

CARD SUPPORT FOR DUMMY HANDS.

IIIIIIIIIIIII LEI) MAR 21, 1906.

Patented Oct. 28, 1913.

2 SHEET SSSSSSS 1.

e. 1?.- WEDDERBURN.

CARD SUPPORT FOR DUMMY HANDS.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

'HEBZBUWE F. W'EDDERBURN, OT 'VHEVY QHJQLSEE, MARYEANH.

'HABD-SUGPPORT FOR -WMMY HANDS.

ments in Card-Supports for Dummy Hands,

of which the following isa specification.

My invention relates to game-boards, and has for its objects :to, rovide novel means tor supporting cardands or series of cards whereby two persons are enabled to play a four-handed .game of cards, the series of cards. comprising the auxiliary or dummy hands being so held or supported that each of said dummy or auxiliary hands is clearly disclosed to the player thereof and at the same time and in the same position is edectively screened from observation or inspection by his opponent; to embody such means in compact and portable form that it may serve as a receptacle for the ,pack or packs of cards and other accessories employedin the game;

My invention particularly well adapted for the game of whist and likewise .for bridge-whilst, as hereinafter disclosed and set forth. m

My present invention comprises various structures relating to the wholly original idea set forth in my basic Patent No. 805,895.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and in which like parts are similarly designated throughout "the several views, Figure 1 is a perspective view of one formof my inven tion. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a moditied form. Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a structure similar to that shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4is a perspective view of a base of two separable sections. Fig. 5 is a similar view showing the sections separated.

My invention as shown in all the several modifications illustrated in the drawings consists in a base of any proper material having formed therein two substantially parallel grooves for receiving the lower ends of two hands or series of playing cards and provided with a. supporting surface extending upwardly from the grooves and in clined to the vertical for supporting, if needful, the backs of said cards, said supporting surface, however, may be dispensed with and the cards supported by being gripped at their lower portions in the Specification of seam ream. Application filed starch 21,1906. Serial 1%. 307,276.

Patented Oct. 28, 1913.

grooves. Each of said series of cards constitutes a hand when the device .is employed by .two players in playing games, such as whist or bridge in which the cards are dealt in four sections or hands, and when:so used the device is placed preferably diagonally between the players who sit .adjacent each other, the cards being disposed in the grooves with the cards .01 the .two hands facing each other so that said hands are held ,in their proper sequence of play.

As shown in Fig. 1, my device comprises a rectangular block of any proper material, such :as wood, metal, ,paper .mach, glass, rubber, or composition, which has formed therein two substantially parallel [grooves or slots 2, said grooves being formed near the longer edgesot the block. Clamping strips 3- 8 ofspr-ing metal are formed to fit one in each of said ,grooves or slots 2, one end of each" of said strips being continued rupwardly to form an upstanding supporting surface for the back of the cards. The cards are placed so that their lower'ends are gripped by the strips 3, the tension of which may be varied as desired by withdrawing the same from the grooves 2 and bendingwith the fingers. As positioned the strips? would support the cards of the two hands slantwise so that the cards in one hand would diverge upwardly relatively to the cards in the other hand, this position being the best when the cards are placed in the holder so that the cards of the two hands face each other. If desired, however, .the strips 3 may be withdrawn from the slots 2 and reversed therein whereupon the cards of the two hands would be sup orted convergingly so that their upper en s would be nearer than their lower ends. The central portion of the block is hollowed out or recessed as at 4 to provide a space or recesses for holding the decks of cards and score cards, and any convenient means such as clips 5 or the hinged lid 30 may be used to retain the cards in the recess. A hole 6 is also bored lengthwise at one end of the block 1 to receive a pencil.

In Fig. 2 the holder is shown of skeleton form, pressed, cast or otherwise formed of proper material. In such form the card holding grooves 22-22 are substantially the same as shown in the construction shown in Fig. l, and the central recess 24 for holding the pack of cards, etc, is formed by the pressed side walls 21.

' of which form lower ends in the grooves or slots 59 and their backs resting on the face 57. The sections may be placed as shown 'in Fig. 4 or may be separated as showndn Fig. 5 to bring each hand into any preferred position. When placed as in Fig. 4 the cards of the two hands are held face to face and diverging upwardly, but it is obvious that the sections may be reversedto bring the cards of the two hands back to back converging upwardly. a

The use of my double dummy card-holder in the game of 'bridge-whist greatly enhances the interest of the game by enabling each player to play two hands continuously and to deal and make the trump twice instead of once in each round of dealing and, further, to pit his skill (unhampered by a partner) against a single adversary.

When the cards are arranged face to face in using my card-holder the twosplayers do not sit opposite each other, but at adj a cent sides of the table, lacing the cardholder so that each player s dummy hand is approximately opposite him, and therefore in proper sequence of play. The face to face arrangement of the cards is greatly pre ferred since in arranging the cards back to back confusion as to sequence of play is created. 1

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patentv 1.- A card game device for enabling two players to play four handed card games, which comprises holders for two .of the four card hands, each holder being provided with means adapted to engage the opposite sides cards forming of the cards at the bottom thereof so spaced apart as to allow but a limited play of the cards therein whereby the cards are maintained against accidental displacement.

2. A device for enabling two players to play four handed games such as whist, bridge, etc., provided with duplicate means for engaging, 'each, the cards forming a hand, each of said means adapted to engage the opposite sides of the cards at the bottom thereof so spaced apart as to allow but a limited play of the cards, whereby the cards are engaged at their lower ends only and are maintained against accidental displacement, said duplicate means being so disposed as to hold the two card hands slantwise and at an angle to the vertical.

3. A card game device for enabling two players to play four handed card games. which comprises a block having holding means for two of the four card hands, each holding means adapted to engage the opposite sides of the cards at the bottom thereof 'so spaced apart as to allow but a limited play of the cards therein, whereby the cards are maintained against accidental displacement.

4. A card game device for enabling two players to play four handed games of cards, comprising duplicate holders, each holder being provided with slotted means adapted to engage the opposite sides of-thecards at the bottom thereof so spaced apart as to allow but a limited play of the cards therein whereby the cards are maintained against accidental displacement, and each having a removable clip therein comprising an inclined support and each holder arranged, to. be positioned to support the series of i the hand so that the same will be fully displayed to the player of the c'omplementalor partner hand and concealed from the player of the opposing hand.

GERTRUDE F. WEDDERBURN. Witnesses:

CHAS. A. ERNEY, W. A. COWLES. 

